|
The Great Plaza
The Great Plaza or Plaza Mayor is the very center of Tikal, and is surrounded
by
stelae, altars, ceremonial buildings, palaces and a ball court. You can
reach it from the north (Calzada Maler) and from the south (Calzada Méndez).
Plaza Mayor has two twin pyramids Temple I and Temple II.
Temple I
Temple I or Temple of the Gran Jaguar is located at the east end of the
Great Plaza, built in AD 700. Across from it on the west side is
the Temple II, also called Temple of the Masks. This pyramid had tomb
contained the remains of Lord Chocolate or Ha Cacau with Jade artifacts
and carved bones. A replica of this this magnificent Tomb can be seen at
the Museo Tikal. Archaeologists found two lintels of Ha Cacau sitting on
his throne with a figure of a jaguar here.
Temple II
The temple
of the Masks is 125 feet tall and is probably the most popular building
in Tikal. It takes its name from the masks on either side of the
stairway. Climbing is easer than Temple I and you can also find some
impressive views of the city. The temple was dedicated to the wife of Ah
Cacaw.
Temple III
This 180
feet pyramid is located across the Tozzer Causeway from the West Plaza
and was finished in AD 810. Here you will get an splendid view as well
as two carved lintels that remains almost intact. In front of the temple
you will see a stele of the god Chaac, which suppose to be the god of
water.
Temple IV
The temple
of the Inscriptions is located several hundred yards north of the Great
Plaza. It is 218 feet tall and was built in AD 740 by the ruler Yaxkin
Caan Chac. There are two chambers at the top and two steles at the base,
Stela 21 and Stela Altar 9. Both steles has their glyphs almost intact.
Bat Place
The
Palacio de los Murciélagos
(Bat Palace) also know as Palacio de las Ventans(Palace of Windows) is a
two-story palace filled with stepped vaults and rooms . Next door are
the twin pyramids, and Complex N where Altar 5 and Stele 16 were found
intact, they are in exhibit now at the visitor’s center.
Temple V
Temple V was built around AD 750 and rising to 187 feet (57
meters), this is the second largest building in the park and has but one small
chamber at its summit. A tomb of an unknown rules was found here.
Temple VI
Located at
the southern end of the Mendez Causeway is the Temple VI built around
AD 767. This structure takes its name, Temple of the Inscriptions from a
long hieroglyphic text which is one of the longest inscriptions found at
Tikal. The fine stele and the altar in front of this building is
believed to be used as blood sacrifice in rituals.
CAUSEWAYS
These causeways connect several buildings with each other.
Méndez
Causeway: Connects Temple VI with palace of the Grooves.
You can see how grandiose the city
was.
BACK
TO TOP
|
